In the gathering light, alongside the Vehicle Assembly Building on Friday, space shuttle Atlantis began moving out along 9.8 miles of roads to the KSC Visitor Complex.

Written by

Todd Halvorson
FLORIDA TODAY

The final journey of the shuttle orbiter Atlantis started 27 years and one month after the launch of its first flight.

But this time, the spaceship did not thunder into orbit.

Instead, it was the beginning of a 9.8-mile roll to its retirement roost - a poignant voyage as hundreds of workers, and the ship's last astronaut crew, gathered in Launch Complex 39 for an emotional send-off. ...